Good News Is Gospill

Tag: American Cancer Society

  • 20 Years of Breast Cancer Awareness: A Personal Journey

    20 Years of Breast Cancer Awareness: A Personal Journey

    EXACTLY 20 YEARS AGO TODAY, in the languid embrace of my guy on a lazy afternoon while watching the 2006 Olympic men’s downhill, he suddenly jumped off the sofa (and me) and pointed at my breast.

    “What is THAT??? Have you had that checked out?” I touched where he was pointing. It felt like small almond.

    I was not alarmed. The Olympics were on! I was healthy. Incredibly fit. Plus, I’d had a clean mammogram just three months before. I was sure it was nothing — but I promised I’d call my doctor first thing Monday …

    Apparently, I have dense tissue.

    20 years ago today, watching the downhill was the beginning of an uphill battle I’ll fight the rest of my life.

    But now I fight for my sisters and brothers and their loved ones. I’m back on it — raising funds for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer.

    (Yes, I know I’m starting early this year, but I couldn’t pass up this anniversary celebration. Please donate or join my team and help me raise funds.)

  • I am Not a Cancer Survivor

    I am Not a Cancer Survivor

    Nine years ago this month I recall looking at myself in the mirror and assessing the situation: I was bald. My memory was spotty. I sat down a lot more than I stood up. And I had these crazy, stop-men-in-their-tracks “Fembot” boobs (called spacers) implanted in my chest to help stretch my healing skin and tissue in preparation for breast reconstruction later that fall.

    I was done with chemo. I was cancer free. But I knew I still had a lot more fight ahead of me in terms of reconstruction, rehabilitation, re-establishing my career and rebuilding a relationship with my son.

    I also knew I would be forever vigilant against recurrence: I would have to see surgeons and oncologists annually for the rest of my life. From there on out, I would be on the defensive against this insidious disease.

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